Separation of Twenty Biogenic Amines and Derivatives by a High-performance Liquid Chromatographic Column Switching Technique with On-line Fluorimetric and Electrochemical Detections

Abstract

A new high-performance liquid chromatographic technique including the use of an automated column switching system has been developed for the study of dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine and serotonin and their related metabolites in biological samples. Through two runs, it has been possible to separate twenty derivatives and three internal standards which have to be added to samples prior to the extraction procedures. In each case, the column switching system allowed to obtain a clear separation of all the compounds, which will be of importance to avoid any expected interference from other endogenous substances, while decreasing the analysis time. By coupling on-line fluorimetric and electrochemical detections the specificity of the technique was enhanced, since the ratio of the responses of both detectors was an index of the purity of the peaks. In addition, fluorimetric detection was found of value to free the determination of some compunds from the effects of solvent front while electrochemical detection increased the sensitivity. Finally, the column switching system allowed a rapid cleaning of the columns between two analyses. A typical application to a human urine sample was shown.